Resilient container holder

ABSTRACT

A holder for a container, the holder comprised of a perimeter, wherein said perimeter defines an interior space, and wherein the interior space is comprised of a container holding portion and an attachment housing portion, wherein the container holding portion includes a cavity conforming to the container, wherein the container is retained in the holder in a non-removable manner, and wherein the container includes a cap portion and the cap portion is not covered by the holder, and wherein the attachment housing portion is comprised of a means to attach the holder to an external object.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.62/238,251 filed on Oct. 7, 2015.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to holders for containers. Specifically,the present invention is for a holder that fits snugly around acontainer and is made of a moldable, flexible, squeezable material in apredetermined shape.

Description of the Prior Art

There exist in the prior art holders for containers of a variety ofshapes. However, these containers generally are made of a hard material.Such a material is subject to cracking or breaking if dropped by a user,thereby rendering the product inside the container of little use due tocontamination and certainty of leakage of the product through the crackin the container and/or holder.

In addition, there exist in the prior art animal characters and pleasingshapes made of soft, flexible, moldable material to engage the hands ofthe user, to alleviate nervousness, anxiety, increase motor function andprovide a host of other benefits.

However, there does not exist in the market a holder for a containerthat provides the benefits of being able to engage a user's hands andalso being a practical product capable of holding a container which mayinclude lip gloss, antibacterial lotion or any other item one wouldchoose to place in a container. The holder of the present inventionfills a need in the market presently not addressed by the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An advantage of the holder of the present invention is that it isdirected to a holder for a container, said holder comprised of aperimeter, wherein said perimeter defines an interior space, and whereinsaid interior space is comprised of a container holding portion and anattachment housing portion, wherein said container holding portionincludes a cavity conforming to the container, wherein said container isretained in the holder in a non-removable manner, and wherein saidcontainer includes a cap portion and said cap portion is not covered bythe holder, and wherein said attachment housing portion is comprised ofa means to attach the holder to an external object.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the holder of thepresent invention includes an attachment means comprised of aretractable reel assembly and a retractor cord coupled to theretractable reel assembly, wherein said retractable reel assembly issituated within the attachment housing portion of the holder, andwherein the perimeter surrounding the attachment housing portionincludes an aperture communicating with the exterior of the interiorspace, and wherein the retractor cord is threaded through the aperturewhile remaining connected to the retractor reel assembly, and whereinthe reel assembly permits selective movement of the holder when onepulls on the retractor cord.

A further advantage of the holder of the present invention is that theattachment means is comprised of an anchor including a securing ring,wherein the perimeter surrounding the attachment housing portionincludes an aperture communicating with the exterior of the interiorspace which allows the securing ring to be visible on the exterior ofthe holder, and wherein the securing ring is capable of being fastenedto a securing means.

Yet another advantage of the holder of the present invention is that thesecuring means is a strap.

A further advantage of the present inventions that the securing means isa retractable cord.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the holder iscomprised of a moldable material.

Yet another advantage of the holder of the present invention is that theholder is comprised of a flexible material.

A further advantage of the holder r of the present invention is that theholder is comprised of a squeezable material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects of the inventionwill become apparent when consideration is given to the followingdetailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to theannexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the holder of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a first embodiment of the holder of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a first embodiment of the holder of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of a first embodiment of the holder ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is yet another cross section view of a first embodiment of theholder of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the holder ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of an alternate embodiment of the holderof the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a second alternate embodimentof the holder of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of a second alternate embodiment of theholder of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is exploded cross-section view of a second alternate embodimentof the holder of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to FIGS. 1-5, a first preferred embodiment for a newholder for a container embodying the principles and concepts of thepresent invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10will be described.

First Preferred Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the holder 10 for a container 12 is fabricatedfrom a moldable, flexible and squeezable material capable of beingformed into any pre-determined shape. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5,the holder 10 has a perimeter 14 that defines an interior space 16,which is comprised of two portions, a container holding portion 18 andan attachment housing portion 20. The perimeter 14 is divided into thecontainer holding portion perimeter 14A and the attachment housingportion perimeter 14B. The container holding portion 18 includes acavity 22 that is formed in a shape to conform to the shape of thecontainer 12 it is to hold. The container 12 is comprised of a base wall24 and a perimeter wall 26. The base wall 24 and the perimeter wall 26define an interior space 28 for receiving any substance that may becontained therein. The container 12 further includes a cap portion 32that is pivotably coupled to the perimeter wall 26 opposite of the basewall 24. The holder 10 is constructed of a suitable material that iscapable of being molded to snugly and/or non-removably hold thecontainer 12 so that the container 12 does not fall out of the holder10. The material utilized for the holder 10 is also squeezable by auser. In addition the container 12 is retained in the holder 10 in sucha fashion that the cap portion 30 is not covered by the holder 10,thereby allowing a user to remove or replace the cap portion 30 on thecontainer 26 without having to manipulate or remove the holder 10 fromthe container.

The attachment housing portion 20 of the holder 10 is used toaccommodate a retractable reel assembly 32. The attachment housingportion 20 is defined by a portion of the perimeter 14B and the interiorhousing wall 34. The interior housing wall 34 functions as the base wallfor the cavity 22 as well. The reel assembly 32 of the holder 10 of thepresent invention includes a retractor cord 36 coupled to the reelassembly 32. The reel assembly 32 permits selective movement of theholder 10 when one pulls on the retractor cord 36. The retractor cord36, when released after being pulled, retracts back into the reelassembly.

The perimeter wall 14B of the attachment housing portion 20 includes anaperture 38 which allows the retractor cord 36 to extend within thehousing portion 20 and be connected to the reel assembly 32. In thispreferred embodiment, the reel assembly 32 is substantially disk shaped,although other shapes may also be employed.

The holder 10 of the present invention may be formed in anypredetermined shape, as shown in an alternate preferred embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 6. and 7.

An Alternate Preferred Embodiment

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a holder 10A in the shape of an animalcharacter. As in the first preferred embodiment, the holder 10A of thealternate preferred embodiment, has a perimeter 14′ that defines aninterior space 16′, which is comprised of two portions, a containerholding portion 18′ and an attachment housing portion 20′. The perimeter14′ is divided into the container holding portion perimeter 14A′ and theattachment housing portion perimeter 14B′. The container holding portion18′ includes a cavity 22′ that is formed in a shape to conform to theshape of the container 12′ it is to hold. The container 12′ is comprisedof a base wall 24′ and a perimeter wall 26′. The base wall 24′ and theperimeter wall 26′ define an interior space 28′ for receiving anysubstance that may be contained therein. The container 12′ furtherincludes a cap portion 32′ that is removably coupled to the perimeterwall 26′ opposite of the base wall 24′. The holder 10A is constructed ofa suitable material that is capable of being molded into anypre-determined shape and to also snugly and/or non-removably hold thecontainer 12′ so that the container 12′ does not fall out of the holder10A. The material utilized for the holder 10 is also squeezable by auser. In addition the container 12′ is retained in the holder 10 in sucha fashion that the cap portion 30′ is not covered by the holder 10A,thereby allowing a user to remove or replace the cap portion 30′ on thecontainer 26′ without having to manipulate or remove the holder 10A fromthe container.

The attachment housing portion 20′ of the holder 10A is used toaccommodate an anchor 32′ for a carabiner or other similar attachment.The attachment housing portion 20′ is defined by a portion of theperimeter 14B and the interior housing wall 34. In this embodiment, theinterior housing wall is thicker than in the first preferred embodiment.However, similarly, the interior housing wall 34′ functions as the basewall for the cavity 22′ and the other side functions to define theattachment housing portion 20′. The perimeter wall 14B′ of theattachment housing portion 20′ includes an aperture 38′ which allows aportion of the anchor 32′ to extend outside the housing portion 20′ andbe connected to the reel assembly 32. Specifically, the anchor 32′ ofthe holder 10A is situated inside the attachment housing portion 20′,such that only the securing ring 40′ visible to the user. The securingring 40′ may be used to attach a carabiner, a strap, a clip, a lanyard,a retractable cord or any other securing device the user chooses.

A Second Alternate Preferred Embodiment

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a holder 10B in the shape of an ice cream cone.The holder 10B of the second alternate preferred embodiment, has aperimeter 14″ is comprised of two portions, a container holding portion18″ and an attachment housing portion 20″. The perimeter 14″ is dividedinto the container holding portion perimeter 14A″ and the attachmenthousing portion perimeter 14B″. The container holding portion 18″includes a cavity 22′ that is formed in a shape to conform to the shapeof the container 12″ it is to hold. The container 12″ is comprised of abase wall 24″ and a perimeter wall 26″. The base wall 24″ and theperimeter wall 26″ define an interior space 28″ for receiving anysubstance that may be contained therein. The container 12″ furtherincludes a cap portion 30″ that is pivotably coupled to the perimeterwall 26″ opposite of the base wall 24″. The holder 10B is constructed ofa suitable material that is capable of being molded into anypre-determined shape and to also snugly and/or non-removably hold thecontainer 12″ so that the container 12″ does not fall out of the holder10B. The material utilized for the holder 10B is also squeezable by auser. In addition the container 12″ is retained in the holder 10B insuch a fashion that the cap portion 30″ is not covered by the holder10B, thereby allowing a user to remove or replace the cap portion 30″ onthe container 26′ without having to manipulate or remove the holder 10Bfrom the container.

The attachment housing portion 20″ of the holder 10B is used toaccommodate a retractable reel assembly 32″. The attachment housingportion 20″ is defined by the perimeter 14B″ and the interior housingwall 34″. In this embodiment, the interior housing wall is thicker as inthe alternate preferred embodiment. However, similarly, the interiorhousing wall 34″ functions as the base wall for the cavity 22″ and theother side functions to define the attachment housing portion 20″. Thereel assembly 32′ of the holder 10B of the present invention includes aretractor cord 36″ coupled to the reel assembly 32″. The reel assembly32″ permits selective movement of the holder 10B when one pulls on theretractor cord 36″. The retractor cord 36″, when released after beingpulled, retracts back into the reel assembly.

The perimeter wall 14B″ of the attachment housing portion 20″ includesan aperture 38″ which allows the retractor cord 36″ to extend within thehousing portion 20″ and be connected to the reel assembly 32″. In thisembodiment, the reel assembly 32″ is substantially disk shaped, althoughother shapes may also be employed.

Ideal materials to be utilized in manufacturing the holder of thepresent invention should be those that are moldable and/or flexibleand/or squeezable. Materials which are soft and/or flexible and/orpliable and/or moldable and/or pleasurable to the feel and encourage auser to engage their hands to alleviate nervousness, anxiety, increasemotor function and/or for pleasure are ideal for constructing the holderof the present invention. The material for constructing the holder ofthe present invention should be capable of maintaining its shape whilebeing handled extensively, be able to be dyed to any desired color orshade and generally be receptive to molding processes.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by thepresent invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. A holder for a container, said holder comprised of aperimeter, wherein said perimeter defines an interior space, and whereinsaid interior space is comprised of a container holding portion and anattachment housing portion, wherein said container holding portionincludes a cavity conforming to the container, wherein said container isretained in the holder in a non-removable manner, and wherein saidcontainer includes a cap portion and said cap portion is not covered bythe holder, and wherein said attachment housing portion is comprised ofa means to attach the holder to an external object.
 2. The holder ofclaim 1, said attachment means is comprised of a retractable reelassembly and a retractor cord coupled to the retractable reel assembly,wherein said retractable reel assembly is situated within the attachmenthousing portion of the holder, and wherein the perimeter surrounding theattachment housing portion includes an aperture communicating with theexterior of the interior space, and wherein the retractor cord isthreaded through the aperture while remaining connected to the retractorreel assembly, and wherein the reel assembly permits selective movementof the holder when one pulls on the retractor cord.
 3. The holder ofclaim 1, wherein said attachment means is comprised of an anchorincluding a securing ring, wherein the perimeter surrounding theattachment housing portion includes an aperture communicating with theexterior of the interior space which allows the securing ring to bevisible on the exterior of the holder, and wherein the securing ring iscapable of being fastened to a securing means, wherein said securingmeans is a strap.
 4. The holder of claim 1, wherein said attachmentmeans is comprised of an anchor including a securing ring, wherein theperimeter surrounding the attachment housing portion includes anaperture communicating with the exterior of the interior space whichallows the securing ring to be visible on the exterior of the holder,and wherein the securing ring is capable of being fastened to a securingmeans, the holder of claim 3, wherein said securing means is aretractable cord.
 5. The holder of claim 1, said holder being comprisedof a moldable material.
 6. The holder of claim 1, said holder beingcomprised of a flexible material.
 7. The holder of claim 1, said holderbeing comprised of a squeezable material.